Show ContentsMoncreiffe History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Scottish name Moncreiffe is a habitational name, taken on from Moncreiffe Hill near the Royal Burgh of Perth. The surname itself came from the name of the lands granted to Sir Matthew de Muncrefe by King Alexander II in 1248. It is claimed that Sir Matthew was a member of a cadet branch of a family desceded from Maldred, brother of King Duncan and a descendant of Niall of the Nine Hostages, King of Ireland, who lived circa 400 A.D. in Tara. Today, Moncreiffe Island, also known as Friarton Island divides the River Tay into two channels as it flows through Perth in Scotland.

Early Origins of the Moncreiffe family

The surname Moncreiffe was first found in Perthshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Pheairt) former county in the present day Council Area of Perth and Kinross, located in central Scotland, where William de Moncrefe and John de Moncref, rendered homage to King Edward I of England during the latter's brief conquest of Scotland in 1296. In that same year Thomas de Mouncref was taken as a Scots prisoner of war at Dunbar Castle. The estate of Easter Moncreiffe was gifted to a younger son of the family in 1312. 1

Early History of the Moncreiffe family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Moncreiffe research. Another 324 words (23 lines of text) covering the years 1488, 1626, 1685, 1776, 1811, 1829, 1851, 1874, 1895, 1906, 1919, 1948, 1957 and 1985 are included under the topic Early Moncreiffe History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Moncreiffe Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Moncreiffe, Moncrieffe, Moncreif, Moncreiff, Moncreyfe and many more.

Early Notables of the Moncreiffe family

Another 46 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Moncreiffe Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Moncreiffe family

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: Hugh Moncreiff settled in Philadelphia in 1854; D. Moncreiff arrived in New York in 1820.


Contemporary Notables of the name Moncreiffe (post 1700) +

  • Sir Rupert Iain Kay Moncreiffe (1919-1985), 11th Baronet, British officer of arms and genealogist, Scottish Historian
  • Sir Thomas Moncreiffe, 7th Baronet
  • Rt. Rev. Francis Moncreiffe,


The Moncreiffe Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Sur esperance
Motto Translation: Upon hope.


  1. Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)


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